July 15, 2008

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina Women's basketball earned the fifth spot in the WBCA Academic Top-25, the highest ranking in school history for the Lady Catamounts, thanks to the club's combine team GPA of 3.543. It is the third time the Lady Catamounts have been on the WBCA's Academic Top-25 list, ranking 15th in 2007 and tied for sixth in 2001.

"I am so proud of our players and the commitment they have made in the classroom again this year," said Head Coach Kellie Harper. "Having a high team GPA was a priority for our team the past two years. I appreciate the work of our academic support staff and their genuine concern for all of our student-athletes."

Western Carolina is just one of six programs on the list with 20 or more wins, with the second-most wins in the season on the heels of Liberty who boosted 28 wins in the 2007-08 season and was just one of two teams from the Southeast region. The Lady Catamounts were also one of seven teams on the honor roll to participate in postseason play.

The Lady Catamounts are also setting a precedent in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is the highest placing conference team in the WBCA Academic Top-25 and the only team to earn a spot on the list multiple times. Appalachian State was ranked 25th in 1999 and Chattanooga earned a 23rd ranking in 2000.

The WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll award is given in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College, awarding teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches.

 

WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll

 

School                        Team GPA          Record

1. South Dakota State         3.699             23-7 (WNIT, 1^st round)

2. Kansas State               3.652             22-10(NCAA, 2^nd round)

3. Indiana State              3.591             14-15

4. Eastern Washington         3.584             4-25

5. Western Carolina           3.543             25-9 (WNIT, 1^st round)

6. Northern Iowa              3.535             13-18

7. Eastern Illinois           3.475             19-13

8. Manhattan College          3.430             15-15

9. Utah Valley State          3.419             16-11

10. Northern Colorado         3.414             14-16

11. Montana State-Bozeman     3.392             18-13

12. Southern Illinois         3.371             10-20

13. Niagara University        3.361             8-22

14. Liberty University        3.354             28-4 (NCAA, 1^st Round)

15. Saint Bonaventure         3.352             18-12

16. University of Maine       3.345             7-23

17. American University       3.342             18-14 (WNIT, 1^st Round)

T18. Canisius                 3.326             13-18

T18. North Dakota State       3.326             17-11

20. Oakland University        3.312             20-10

21. Dartmouth                 3.311             15-16  (WNIT, 1^st Round)

22. New Mexico                3.308             20-13 (NCAA, 1st Round)

23. Wichita State             3.289             9-22

24. Valparasio                3.286             14-16

25. Columbia University       3.278             10-18